LED Light Tube and Replacement Method

摘要

The LED light tube is adapted to replace a fluorescent light tube which is mounted in a fluorescent light tube fixture. These fixtures have first and second socket end mounts and each end mount mechanically accepts a bi-pin or other common connector for the fluorescent light tube. The fluorescent fixture is supplied with a main power line. In the present invention, the main power line may carry 110 to 277 volts. However, the present invention utilizes main power feed only to the first socket end mount of the fluorescent fixture and further maintains an open circuit between the main line power and the second socket end mount. The LED light tube includes an elongated tubular structure substantially the size and length of the fluorescent light tube and extends between the first and second end mounts of the fixture. Within an end region of the tubular structure and adjacent the first tube end mount, an internal power supply converts the main line power to LED bank power. The tubular structure of the LED light includes an elongated semi-spherical substantially transparent top cover mounted atop a printed circuit board substrate. The substrate supports a plurality of LEDs thereon. The transparent cover and the LED supporting substrate extends the length of the tubular structure other than the end region where the internal power supply is located. The tubular structure also includes an elongated hemispherical metal cover mounted below the printed circuit board substrate and beneath the plurality of LEDs as a heat sink for the LED replacement light. An electrical system within the tubular structure supplies the LED bank power to the plurality of LEDs on the substrate. The method of replacing the fluorescent light tube includes connecting the main line power to the first socket end mount in the fluorescent light fixture and opening an electric circuit between the main line power and the second socket end mount. The elongated tubular structure, having the size and length of the fluorescent light tube, has end caps complementary to the first and second end mounts and carries a plurality of LEDs therein. The tube has an elongated hemispherical transparent tube cover and the metal cover. An internal power supply converts the main line power to LED bank power and the method supplies the LED bank power to the LEDs on the substrate. The method also includes illuminating LEDs along the length of the elongated tubular structure except for the end region where the internal power supply is located. Heat is dissipated from the LEDs by the hollow space between the substrate and the metal cover as well as via the metal cover itself. The method includes electrically isolating the substrate from the metal cover.

主权项

1. An LED light tube for replacing a florescent light tube mounted in a florescent light tube fixture, said florescent light tube fixture having first and second socket end mounts, each end mount mechanically accepting a common fixture connector for said florescent light tube, said florescent light tube fixture being supplied with main line power, said main hoe power being 110 volts to 277 volts, comprising:
a power and a neutral wire connection from said main line power to the first socket end mount in the light fixture and an open circuit between said main line power and the second socket end mount; an elongated tubular structure substantially the size and length of said florescent light tube and extending between said first and second end mounts; within an end region of said tubular structure and adjacent said first socket end mount, an internal power supply for converting said main line power to LED bank power, said internal power supply electrically coupled to said main line power via said first socket end mount; said tubular structure including: an elongated hemispherical substantially transparent tube cover mounted atop a printed circuit board substrate, said substrate supporting a plurality of LEDs, said tube cover and LED supporting substrate extending the length of said tubular structure other than said at said end region; an elongated hemispherical metal cover mounted below the printed circuit board substrate and beneath said plurality of LEDs as a heat sink; and an electrical system within said tubular structure supplying said LED bank power to said plurality of LEDs on said substrate.